Greater New Orleans

The Department of Corrections plans to treat more offenders with telemedicine, an program that involves doctor and patients interacting through a video conference instead of in person.
(NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archive)

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has drastically
expanded an online medical program in which doctors treat prisoners through
video conferencing.

The department plans to take the number of offenders treated
by telemedicine from 3,500 to 20,000 in the coming year. The shift is part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's push to privatize state-run hospitals and medical clinics. Inmates traditionally received their more advanced or specialized treatment at those charity facilities.

The Department of Corrections provides primary
physician care to offenders on site at state prisons. But officials now use video
conferencing and other online services when inmates need to see medical
specialists, like cardiologists and neurologists.

For example, an inmate who had recovered from a heart attack
or cancer, and only needs routine check-ups to monitor their health, could seek
treatment through telemedicine.

Dr. Raman Singh, medical director for the Department of
Corrections, said telemedicine is supposed to supplement the traditional
patient-doctor encounter. Offenders can go off site for doctor visits if
needed, but a larger telemedicine program should cut back on the need for many
outside medical trips.

Transporting prisoners
to a clinic or hospital can be a complicated affair. Offenders require a secure
vehicle and guards to accompany them on the journey, and the travel can also
take several hours, since state prisons and medical facilities aren't
necessarily near each other. In the case of one north Louisiana facility,
offenders, had to make a three-hour round trip every time they needed more than
very basic medical attention, said Singh.

US Telehealth has not operated in a prison
system prior to the Louisiana contract. Most of the Texas company's experience
is in online medical access for people working in remote locations, such as
offshore oil and gas rigs.

"Telehealth has been
conducted in a lot of traditional settings as well," said Chris Summers, vice
president of business development for the company.

US Telehealth employs 1,100 doctors, some of which only work
part-time for the technology company while maintaining a more traditional
practice. At least 66 percent of those serving Louisiana prisoners will be from
inside the state, said Summers.